I'm leaving Wiggle 👋 #78

Well, if you somehow missed the subject line, then read again - I’m leaving Wiggle.

I’m stepping out of my comfort zone into something all together new, which I’ll share next week.

What does that mean for this newsletter? Well that’s really for you to decide. I’ve had some nice comments in recent issues. Some have told me that they like the few lines I add on each link. Others like the sections.

With the slight shift into what’s next for me, I’m interested more than ever in what you want to see each week. More user research? Ever-more eCommerce? Cut the cycling? Craft the coolness? Please do reach out and let me know.

Machine learning is technology’s new frontier, and designers have a crucial part to play. Josh Clark explores our new roles and responsibilities when we design for the machines. Designers have to start using data to get away from the hypothetical and into the real.

Starting any project, which is not their personal presentation but a product for users, designers should be deeply aware: they work primarily not for self-expression. They work to solve users’ problems, satisfy their wishes and achieve business goals.

More designers need to understand this, especially coming from a user interface background and deeper into user experience design.

Just enough research! Sarah Doody shares her experience in getting executives to buy into user research. Most don’t! Personally, I think it’s a language issue. Say “research” and that can turn project sponsors off. Say “what are we trying to achieve” and “who for?” - the conversation starts to change.

Cătălin Bridinel, senior designer at Booking.com shares five tips on getting the most out of user research. I also find just giving a user a prototype and observing (and listening) gives fantastic insight. You have to leave the office though folks 😆

Laura tackled the tricky Dirty Kanza ride, a 200 mile gravel-grinding race in Kansas, the Mid-West. I know Laura from working with UK Cycling Events, so fantastic to see her pop-up on Queen of the Mountains. 👋

Tomorrow is Rapha Nocturne Time. The Rapha Nocturne brings cycle racing to London. Attendees will have the chance to ride the course before watching the best of the amateur scene and professional teams compete on an inner-city circuit.